Despite PM appeal, Opposition refuses to budge on Land Bill

The opposition parties are all set to up the ante against the Narendra Modi government over the Land Acquisition Ordinance in Parliament. The second phase of the Budget session is likely to be a stormy one as the government is expected to table the controversial Land Bill on Monday. The government's appeal for co-operation is unlikely to deter the opposition's stand on Land Bill.

After his mega farmers' rally on Sunday, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is expected to lead the party's charge and continue his attack on the government. All Congress MPs will be meeting Rahul in the evening.

Senior Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge said, " we will raise the issue of Land Bill in Parliament. People are against it. BJP is using undemocratic method to bring the Bill."

Backing Kharge, Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "BJP has a stubborn attitude on the Land Bill. We will raise the issue in Parliament."

The Congress is being supported by other parties including Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal United, CPIM.

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JDU leader KC Tyagi said, "We want a debate on the Land Acquisition Bill. The compensation of farmers must be debated upon. If government cooperates, we will allow Parliament to function."

New CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury confirmed that the party will back Congress on the issue. "Will ally with Congress on Land Bill and other common issues in future. Allying with the Congress will differ from issue to issue."

Even though the government has appealed to opposition parties for co-operation, the smooth functioning of Parliament is unlikely to happen.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said, "I appeal to all parties to discuss and debate and not have disruptions because people are watching us and moreoever we have a heavy agenda in front of us."

The Budget session will conclude on May 8. The Rajya Sabha is having a new session from April 23 that will end on May 13.

The Land Acquisition Ordinance, which the government could not get converted into a legislation in the first half of the Budget session in Parliament due to stiff opposition in Rajya Sabha, was re-promulgated on April 3, a day before it was to lapse.